Mikel Merino has signed a five-year contract with Newcastle United after joining the club on an initial loan deal from Borussia Dortmund.

The 21-year-old has featured in all seven of the Magpies Premier League games to date, starting six, and has impressed fans and boss Rafael Benitez within that time span.

The former Osasuna player had initially joined the English club this summer in a loan deal from Dortmund while reports suggested they held a €7m (£6.5m) option to buy after he made 20 first-team appearances.

However, despite not reaching that figure he has now concluded his permanent move after making only eight appearances for the Bundesliga side.

Merino was also in Spain's squad for their runners-up finish at the UEFA Under-21 Championships, though he started just one game in the tournament and briefly appeared as a substitute in one other.

Image via @NUFC

See the latest La Liga predictions and betting tips with Eurotips.co.uk